1 9 9 2 – Current (New Zealand)
7,000+ x 30 minute episodes
“You’re not in Guatemala now, Dr Ropata!”
Centred on the Shortland Street Hospital in the fictional Auckland suburb of Ferndale, New Zealand’s longest-running television drama and soap opera follows the dramatic personal and professional lives of its doctors, nurses, and support staff.
First airing on 25 May 1992, the series has become a cultural institution in Kiwi television and has earned consistent praise for tackling social issues such as HIV/AIDS awareness, cultural diversity, mental health, and same-sex relationships.
Shortland Street was the first show in New Zealand to portray a same-sex kiss on mainstream television. Dr Meredith Fleming (Stephanie Wilkin) was a strong independent woman who championed equality and marginalised groups. In a landmark moment in 1994, she shared an on-screen kiss with nurse Annie Flynn (Rebecca Hobbs).
The show has had a massive revolving ensemble cast, but its central figure is the wealthy, charming and highly skilled surgeon Dr Chris Warner (Michael Galvin, pictured), who has been in the cast since the very first episode in 1992.
Over the years, “the Warner Brother” has been married multiple times and survived brain tumours, explosions, family betrayals, morphine addiction, a plane crash and various murder accusations.
Key characters over the years have included the rebellious, deeply caring Dr Hone Ropata (Temuera Morrison, who went on to international fame as Boba Fett in the Star Wars franchise); TK Samuels (Benjamin Mitchell), a dedicated paramedic turned doctor who faced immense personal tragedy, including the deaths and departures of multiple wives, hostage situations, and intense family drama; Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield), who grew from a rebellious teenager to the hospital’s ruthless Chief Executive; bumbling, sweet-natured Nick Harrison (Karl Burnett), who provided most of the comic relief on the show through the 1990s; and Joey Henderson (Johnny Barker), a seemingly sweet, awkward nurse who turned out to be a serial killer (The Ferndale Strangler, pictured below right).
Several future international stars got early career breaks on the show, including Keith Urban, Martin Henderson, Thomasin McKenzie, KJ Apa and Rose McIver.
Famous international guests who have made cameo appearances in the series have included Conan O’Brien, Rachel Hunter, Claire Sweeney, Ed Sheeran and Ray Meagher, who appeared in character as Alf Stewart from Aussie soap Home and Away.
Shortland Street has undergone several structural changes over the years and scaled back from its traditional five-nights-a-week format to three nights a week (Monday to Wednesday) in 2025 to save on production costs.
Dr Chris Warner
Michael Galvin TK Samuels
Ben Mitchell Nicole Miller/Kruse-Miller
Sally Martin Rachel McKenna/Kennedy
Angela Bloomfield Drew McCaskill
Ben Barrington Dr Harper Whitley
Ria Vandervis Nick Harrison
Karl Burnett Esther Samuels-Warner
Ngahuia Piripi Jenny Harrison/Harper
Maggie Harper Kirsty Knight
Angela Marie Dotchin Boyd Rolleston/Chakraborty
Sam Bunkall Nurse Ellen Crozier
Robyn Malcolm Lionel Skeggins
John Leigh Dawn Robinson/Karim
Rebekah Randell Leanne Black/Miller
Jennifer Ludlam Marty Walker/Jared Fisher
Scott Smart Callum McKay
Peter Mochrie Maeve Mullens
Jess Sayer Dr Sarah Potts
Amanda Billing Marjorie Neilson/Brasch
Elizabeth McRae Johnny Marinovich
Stelios Yiakmis Jack Hannah
Reuben Milner Minnie Crozier
Katrina Devine Grace Kwan
Lynette Forday Damo Johnson
Grant Lobban Rangi Heremaia
Blair Strang Tiffany Pratt/Warner
Alison Raine Guy Warner
Craig Parker Sam Aleni
Rene Naufahu Tania Jeffries/Weston
Faye Smythe Brooke Freeman
Beth Allen Monique Strutter
Courtenay Louise Dr Hone Ropata
Temuera Morrison Joey Henderson
Johnny Barker
The show has had a massive revolving ensemble cast, but its central figure is the wealthy, charming and highly skilled surgeon Dr Chris Warner (Michael Galvin, pictured), who has been in the cast since the very first episode in 1992.
Several future international stars got early career breaks on the show, including Keith Urban, Martin Henderson, Thomasin McKenzie, KJ Apa and Rose McIver.
